"No one can fool her, my lord." Castorice shook her head gently.
"She simply chooses to overlook our lies."
"...True." Phainon felt a little helpless.
"What a foolish hope to cling to."
"I often wonder whether an ordinary person like me can really become a hero."
"I thought obtaining the Core Flame would quiet the doubts in my head... Instead, they've only grown louder."
"..."
Castorice sighed.
"I can't find the right words... but I know you're not ordinary, Lord Bai E."
"Mydei often calls you the Savior in jest, but I don't think he's entirely joking."
"...Hmm." Phainon fell into thought.
"I should probably stop thinking about things I can't change and clear my head until it's time for the ceremony..."
"Haha, come to think of it, I've tried that before." Phainon laughed.
"Before Teacher Tiba's history exam, there were mountains of stone tablets and documents. Who could possibly revise all that?"
"Better to accept my fate early and spend more time practicing swordsmanship and having fun."
"And... how did the exam go?"
"Especially well, of course." Phainon looked pleased with himself.
"Teacher Tiba rewarded me by having me clean the Golden Bathhouse for a week. She wouldn't let anyone help me, either."
"That sounds like a fine reward. You still remember it to this day, after all." Castorice smiled faintly.
"So try to stay calm. I think you'll be all right, especially with everyone there."
"Thank you, Miss Xia Die." Phainon was deeply grateful.
"I'd like to stay here a little longer and try not to think about those troublesome things. It's not as if I'll find any answers."
Gazing out at the vast landscape, Phainon sighed.
"Lately, scenes from my hometown... Aedes Elysiae, keep flashing before my eyes."
"Those people in Castrum Kremnos have developed some incredible